Climbing boots

ABSTRACT

A band  30  which is preferably made of lightweight aluminum, but can be made of any metal or other durable material, is placed around the top of boot  20 . Attached to band  30  are two straps  40 , extending down from band  30 , under boot  20  just ahead of heel  25 . Spike mount  50  is movably attached to strap  40 . Spike  60  has a head  67  which fits into slot  55  in spike mount  50 . In use, a worker wears the assembly  10 , one on each boot  20 . Spike  60  is installed in spike mount  50 . The worker forces spike  60  into the pole, tree, or other object he or she desires to climb. In effect, this turns invention  10  into a “step”, allowing the worker to climb up and down as desired. When not in use, spike  60  can be removed from spike mount  50  and stored in spike holder  70.

I FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to improved climbing boots.

II BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 987,054 (1911) discloses spurs 8 on the bottom of aworker's shoe to engage a supporting surface for safety of the worker.U.S. Pat. No. 1,039,928 discloses spurs 10 for a similar purpose. U.S.Pat. No. 4,635,383 discloses members 11 and 12 having flanges 15, 16, 17for attaching to working shoes 100. Members 15 and 16 include safetyspikes 22 to engage the roof surface.

[0003] In none of the above devices are the spikes insertable duringassent or descent or removable from the spike mount.

II SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A. Objects of the Invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide boots which enable atree climber to easily climb and descend the tree or other structure.

B. Summary

[0005] The present invention is shown, as it will be used, includes aclimbing assembly indicated at 10. The assembly 10 includes a band 30which is preferably made of lightweight aluminum, but can be made of anymetal or other durable material, is placed around the top of boot 20.Attached to band 30 are is a strap 40, extending down from band 30,under boot 20 just ahead of heel 25, and up the other side. Spike mount50 is movably attached to strap 40. Spike 60 has a hook end 65 whichfits into slot 55 in spike mount 50. In use, a worker wears the band 30and strap 40, one on each boot 20. Spike 60 is installed in spike mount50 on strap 40. The worker forces spike 60 into the pole, tree, or otherobject he or she desires to climb. In effect, this turns band 30, 40,and spike 50 strap invention 10 into a “step”, allowing the worker toclimb up and down as desired. When not in use, spike 60 can be removedand stored in spike holder 70.

III. THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of of the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a detail drawing of the spike used in the presentinvention.

[0008]FIG. 2A is a detail drawing of the spike mount of the presentinvention.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of the spike holder of thepresent invention.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a left boot of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a detail side elevation view of the spike mount of thepresent invention used in the FIG. 4 embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0012]FIG. 6 is a detail side elevation view of a spike used in thepresent invention.

[0013]FIG. 7 is a detail side elevation view of additional spikes whichmay be used in the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 8 is a perspective detail view of the spike holder which maybe used in the present invention.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The present invention comprises includes a climbing assemblyindicated at 10.

[0016] The assembly 10 includes a band 30 which is preferably made oflightweight aluminum, but can be made of any metal, plastic or otherdurable material, is placed around the top of boot 20 having openings 22for receiving laces (not shown).

[0017] Attached to band 30 are is a strap 40, extending down from band30, under boot 20 just ahead of heel 25, and up the other side of boot20.

[0018] Spike mount 50 comprises a plate 52 which is attached to strap 40with fasteners 54 or an adhesvie 56.

[0019] Spike 60 has a body portion 62, a head portion 64 including aslot 65, which fits into slot 55 in spike mount 50, and a tapered end 67to be used to be inserted into a tree or other structure upon which theuser is climbing or descending.

[0020] In use, a worker wears the band 30 and strap 40, one on each boot20.

[0021] Spike 60 is installed in spike mount 50 on strap 40.

[0022] The worker forces spike end 67 into the pole, tree, or otherobject he or she desires to climb, or descend from. In effect, thisturns band 30, 40, and spike 50 strap invention 10 into a “step”,allowing the worker to climb up and down as desired.

[0023] When not in use, spike 60 can be removed from spike mount 50 andstored in spike holder 70 which may be located on the climber's belt(Not shown)by placing spike 60 into one of three holes 75.

[0024] Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4-8.

[0025] This embodiment showing the left boot 120 comprises includes aclimbing assembly indicated at 100.

[0026] The assembly 100 includes a band 130 which is preferably made oflightweight aluminum, but can be made of any metal, plastic or otherdurable material, is placed around the top of boot 120 having openings122 for receiving laces (not shown). Optional leather straps 124 andnylons straps 126, 127 may be provided on the boots. An enlarged heel125 is also preferably provided.

[0027] Attached to band 130 are is a strap 140, extending down from band130, under boot 20 just ahead of heel 125, and up the other side of boot120.

[0028] Spike mount 150 comprises a plate 152 which is attached to strap140 with fasteners 154 or an adhesvie 156. Spike 160 has a body portion162, a head portion 164 including a slot 165, which fits into slot 155in spike mount 150, and a tapered end 167, to be used to be insertedinto a tree or other structure upon which the user is climbing ordescending.

[0029] Spike 160 is installed in spike mount 150 on strap 140.

[0030] The worker forces spike end 167 into the pole, tree, or otherobject he or she desires to climb, or descend from. In effect, thisturns band 130, 140, and spike 150 into a “step”, allowing the worker toclimb up and down as desired.

[0031] When not in use, spikes 60 can be removed from spike mount 150and stored in spike holder 170, which may be located on the climber'sbelt (not shown) by placing spike 60 into one of three holes 175.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved climbing boot comprising: a boothaving a body portion and a top portion, a heel portion located belowsaid body portion, and a foot portion extedning outwardly from said heelportion; at least one band placed around said top portion, at least onestrap extending down from said band and extending under the boot aheadof said heel portion; at least one spike mount removably attached tosaid strap having at least one opening therein; and at least one spikehaving means for removably engaging said spike mount having sufficientstrength to support a climber during ascent or descent.
 2. An improvedclimbing boot according to claim 1 wherein the means for removablyengaging said spike mount comprise a spike having a head end extendinginto a slot in said spike mount.
 3. An improved climbing boot accordingto claim 1 wherein said band is made of durable material.
 4. An improvedclimbing boot according to claim 3 wherein said durable material isselected from lightweight metal and lightweight plastic
 5. An improvedclimbing boot according to claim 1 wherein said durable materialcomprises lightweight aluminum material.
 6. An improved climbing bootband and strap assembly comprising: at least one band adapted to placedaround the top of aboot; at least one strap extending down from saidband and extending under the boot ahead of said heel portion; at leastone spike mount removably attached to said strap having at least oneopening therein; and at least one spike having means for removablyengaging said spike mount having sufficient strength to support aclimber during ascent or descent.
 7. An improved climbing boot strapassembly according to claim 6 wherein the means for removably engagingsaid spike mount comprise a spike having a head extending into a slot insaid spike mount.
 8. An improved climbing boot strap assembly accordingto claim 7 wherein said band is made of durable material.
 9. An improvedclimbing bootstrap assembly according to claim 8 wherein said durablematerial is selected from lightweight metal and lightweight plastic 10.An improved climbing boot strap assembly according to claim 9 whereinsaid durable material comprises lightweight aluminum material.
 11. Animproved climbing boot spike assembly comprising: at least one spikemount having means for removably attaching said spike mount to aclimbing boot strap; said spike mount having at least one openingtherein; and at least one spike having means for removably engaging saidspike mount having sufficient strength to support a climber duringascent or descent.
 12. An improved climbing boot spike assemblyaccording to claim 11 wherein the means for removably engaging saidspike mount comprise a head on said spike extending into a slot in saidspike mount.
 13. A method of ascending or descending a tree or otherupwardly extending structure comprising: providing a boot having a bodyportion, a top portion, and a heel portion located below said bodyportion, a foot portion extedning outwardly from said heel portion;providing at least one band placed around said top portion, providing atleast one strap extending down from said band and extending under theboot ahead of said heel portion; providing at least one spike mountremovably attached to said strap having at least one opening therein;and forcing at least one spike having means for removably engaging saidspike mount with having sufficient strength to support a climber duringascent or descent into said tree or other structure; and ascendingand/or descending after placement of each spike into said tree or otherstructure.
 14. A method according to claim 13 including removablyengaging said spike mount with a spike having a head end extending intoa slot in said spike mount.
 15. A method according to claim 14 whereinincluding forming said said band with strong and durable material.
 16. Amethod according to claim 15 wherein said durable material is selectedfrom lightweight metal and lightweight plastic
 17. A method according toclaim 13 including: locating at least one band around the top of a boot;locating at least one strap extending down from said band and extendingunder the boot ahead of said heel portion; said strap having at leastone spike mount attached to said strap having at least one openingtherein; and inserting at least one spike having means for removablyengaging said spike mount with sufficient force to support a climberduring ascent or descent.
 18. A method according to claim 17 includinginserting into said spike mount a head extending into a slot in saidspike mount.